Wiretap Averted

Sypnosis

A gang unit sought a wiretap to identify co-conspirators in a fatal shooting. Investigators obtained months of records from multiple suspects however their analysts and investigators were unable to identify the members of the crew. Investigators amassed a significant amount of tower dump data, timing advance area search records, and records attributed to one of the suspects. There were no cooperative witnesses.

We were retained to assist the detectives preparing the wiretap affidavit and provided the relevant data.

Our Role

Leveraging multi-layer link-analysis, timing-advance data, and pattern-of-life models, we processed the existing CDR dataset and uncovered the full communication lattice—pinpointing the active participants in the conspiracy.

Technology Involved

Multi-carrier CDR Analysis

Link Analysis

Connected Vehicles

Burner Phones

Key Findings

Complete Conspiracy Map: Identified people and vehicles tied to the shooting crew, revealing their true identities.

Timing-Advance Corroboration: Placed the suspects in the area of the shooting as well as several other relevant locations.

Budget Impact: Wiretap cost projection ($70–90 K) rendered unnecessary.

Immediate Action: Agency executed targeted search warrants on people, residences, and devices.

Outcome

By exploiting data the agency already possessed, Hawks Consulting saved tens of thousands of budget dollars, accelerated the investigation, and delivered evidence strong enough for prosecutions—without months of wire monitoring.